Finger ring



YEN Hamil 9, 319370 T. P, SHIELDS r FINGER RING Filed May 1, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 wm m A R w m m G H W W. T v M F a g 0 3 A TTORNEY.

T. F. SHEELDS FINGER RING March 9, 1937,

Filed May 1, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WWW/45 P 5/7/1105 INVENTORQ BY M ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application, for an Improvement in finger rings, Serial No. 39,110, filed September 4, 1935.

This invention relates to an improvement in finger rings and has for its object the forming or shaping of a shank of a ring in such a manner that it will more particularly conform to the outline of the base of the finger where it joins the hand and be thus secured against rotation.

Another object is to provide a ring that will comfortably lie in the crease that is formed by the finger and the palm of the hand when the hand is grasped about an object.

A further object is to permit the wearing of a ring on the finger of the hand in such a position and so adapted to the finger that the ornamental top or setting of the ring will always remain in its proper position with respect to the longitudinal 2 axis of the finger.

A still further object is to enable an ormamental top setting to be positioned more toward the base of thefinger. and, also since the entire distance between the knuckle and the first joint will be thus made available for the placement of a setting a much larger one may be effectively and comfortably displayed.

Another object accomplished is the positioning of a top setting closer to the knuckle and thus it willclear the seam of a glove, a present difficulty with ornamental top rings.

Other objects will appear more fully in the description which follows.

Heretofore finger rings have either followed a true circular outline with shanks lying entirely in one plane, or, when they have varied from this standard concept of an ornamental finger ring they have assumed some regular geometric shank offset design, symmetrical with respect to the axis of the finger. For example, shanks having two-equal offsets which join two circular segments lying in parallel planes have been used.

However no ring can be. truly fitted to a finger at its base with a shank of symmetrical geometrical proportions as a cursory examination of the human hand will show.

Furthermore it. is apparent that unless a ring at the base of the finger follows the natural curvature of the finger it will be subject to displacement whenever the'fingers are flexed. Likewise the-grasping of objects and the wearing of gloves will cause displacement.

My invention provides for a ring that is designed to encompass a finger more in harmony with the natural configuration of the particular finger upon which the ring is to be worn and I essentially consists in incorporating an offset in one side of the shank. My improvement is shown in the accompanying drawings which illustrate some of the forms my invention may take, although I do not limit myself to the particular embodiments shown. The figures shown are; Fig. 1, a front elevational view of a ring offset-on one side.

Fig. 2, a side elevational view of the ring shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7 are side elevational views of the ring of Fig. 1 showing various alternative designs.

Fig. 6 is a view of the back of the hand with a shank offset ring on the third finger.

Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of a ring whose shank is notched to engage with the webbing it abuts.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of one form my offset segment may take.

Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the segment shown in Fig. 9.

To clarify the detailed description which follows, I desire to point out that while circular finger rings whose shanks lie in a plane surface have been in use since ancient times this design does not conform to the outline of a human finger; particularly at its base where such rings are generally worn. The finger is not truly round at its base, nor does it join the hand in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the finger. When placed on the finger at its base, a conventional ring does not seat uniformly upon that portion of the hand which lies between the fingers but bears only upon the edge of the webbing on one side of the finger. This webbing recedes from its edge toward the back of the hand in the direction of the knuckles. To bear on this exposed surface a ring shank must overlie the edge of the webbing. Furthermore since the fingers of the same hand differ in the extent and location of the tissue connecting them, and since any one finger generally has the webbing on one side further removed from the tip of the finger than on the other side, the problem of fitting a ring to a finger is further complicated. Also to fit a ring in the crease that is formed between the palm of the hand and the finger when it is flexed requires a shank to lie in a .plane that for the third and small fingers of the hand is not normal to the longitudinal axis of the finger.

Thus it is appreciated that for a ring to truly follow the contour of the finger at its base, and to lie snugly in the crease formed with the palm of the hand and to bear uniformly upon the flesh between the fingers on both sides thereof, requires a design of complex curves and a different one for each finger of the hand. I find it is not practical nor necessary to fully attain a form fit, and therefore I provide a means for substantially attaining the required fit by offsetting one side of the shank or providing the equivalent of an offset by notching out a portion of the shank on one side.

Having thus stated the problems my invention recognizes, and referring to the numbered parts in the ten views, the same or similar part carrying the same identifying number wherever shown, a detailed description of certain embodiments of my invention is as follows:-

A front elevational view of rings having but one abrupt offset appears as in Figure 1, such departure as may occur from the truly circular outline of a conventional ring being scarcely perceptible to the observer. Curved segment 3 is incorporated in one side of the ring between shank portions I and 2, in position to engage with the finger webbing it adjoins. Top setting 4 is dis played symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the finger. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the same ring and shows the offset segment 3 following the outlines of a reversed curve and adapted to overlie the webbing it will abut. Shank portion 2 is deflected along line 6-6 to accommodate the offset and in the shape shown it will follow the outline of the base of the finger where it joins the palm of the hand and yet will display the top setting in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the finger. By deflecting portions l and 2 along horizontal line 5-5 the entire top half of the ring will lie in a plane normal to the ring axis 1-1. To meet conditions the deflection can be made along any line or at any point in the ring band.

Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 except that offset segment I4 is in a side elevational view a straight section smoothly connected with shank portions I and 2 which lie in diverging planes.

The ring of Figure 4 embodies my principle by having its top portion I in a plane normal to ring axis 'l-'! and having portion 2 spiral shaped relative to axis 7-1. Curved segment [5 joins l and 2 on one side of the ring in juxtaposition to the finger webbing on that side.

Fig. 5 shows a ring band l6 lying entirely in a spiral relative to ring axis 1'| except where the extremities of the spiral are joined by curved segment I1.

Instead of deflecting ring band portion 2 to- Ward the tip of the finger it may be deflected rearward as shown in Fig. 7, and by joining l and 2 with a suitably curved segment l8 a ring will be shaped that will be found more closely fitting to some fingers than the rings with 0pposite deflected portions 2.

In the illustrations of Figures 3, 4, 5 and '7, the ring in front elevational view presents the same general appearance as in Figure l, curving smoothly about the finger irrespective of the type of curved offset or band deflection employed.

Since many rings have wide bands as in Fig, 8 it is possible to employ my invention in such rings by having the shank l9 cut away on one side as at IU sufiioient to engage the webbing between the fingers. The outline of the cut away portion may be curved or angled, any notch or cut adapted to engage the finger webbing fulfilling my specifications. While this embodiment does not employ a warped shank and therefore does not as closely follow the base of the finger where it joins the palm as the other illustrations I have given, yet it aifords the additional advantage of having all evidences of its adaptation to the finger webbing concealed from View when worn on the finger.

Figure 6 is a view of the back of the hand Wearing a ring of one offset upon the third finger. For clearness no setting is shown though it would be positioned symmetrical to the longitudinal axis 8-8 of the finger. Portion 9 of the shank in dotted outline, lies beneath in the crease at the base of the finger, while portion ID in solid lines lies across the back of the finger. Offset segment ll overlies the edge of the webbing l3 between the second and the third fingers. When worn thus upon the third finger of the hand the shank straddles webbing on one side only, on the other side of the finger the shank abuts the webbing l3 as the conventional ring does. As heretofore pointed out the offset takes up some or all of the difference in the length of the finger as measured on its sides and retains that portion of the ring which supports the top setting, in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the finger. This figure also shows how the setting is positioned closer to the knuckle l2 than in an ordinary ring.

A ring of my invention when worn on the small finger presents a smoothly contoured exposed outline, the offset portion adjacent to the third finger being concealed from view. More abrupt offsets or shoulders may be used than are shown and in the case of a ring for the small finger it is possible to use a much greater offset.

It will be noted thruout that the direction of the offset or cut out portion of the shank of the ring depends upon whether the ring is intended for the left hand or the right hand. The notched or offset portion to accomplish its mission must lie on that side of the finger which is of shorter length, if it is the second or third finger and for the first and small finger on the Webbed side.

A number of methods well known to the jewelers art may be used to shape rings that embody my invention, however to more clearly del scribe my invention I point out one method that I find practical and eflicient. Any regular circular shank may be taken and a segment removed at the location where the offset is desired. The shank is then placed in a vise so that about one half of its length adjacent to the cut is held between the jaws. The free portion is deflected from its former plane to produce the oifset desired. Into the gap so produced by the removal of a section of the shank and its deflection is incorporated a previously prepared ofiset segment of any selected shape, as for example a segment which is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 9 is a side elevational View, while Fig. 10 is a front elevational view.

I do not limit myself to any particular form or shape of offset the foregoing description being intended to be illustrative only, and not limiting upon my invention. Nor do I limit myself to the shape the major portion of the ring will follow. The greater portion may be spiral shaped with respect to the axis of the ring; or a portion may lie in a plane surface and the balance follow the outline of a modified spiral curve; or a slight twist may separate the major portion of the ring into two diverging planes.

What I claim is:-

l. A finger ring comprising a single continuous band having an upper circular portion lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the ring, a lower curved portion directly attached to and gradually divergent from the upper portion on one side of the ring and joined therewith on the other side by a band segment adapted to overlie the webbing on that side of the finger.

2. A finger ring comprising a single continuous band having an upper circular portion lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the ring, a lower curved portion directly attached to and gradually divergent from the upper portion on one side of the ring and joined therewith on the other side by a reversed curve shaped segment adapted to overlie the webbing on that side of the finger.

3. A finger ring comprising a single continuous band having an upper circular portion lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the ring, a lower curved portion directly attached to and gradually divergent from the upper portion on one side of the ring and joined therewith on the other side by a curved segment adapted to overlie the webbing on that side of the finger.

4. A finger ring comprising a single continuous band having an upper circular portion lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the ring, a lower curved portion in the form of a helix relative to the axis of the ring harmoniously joining the upper portion on one side of the ring and joined therewith on the other side by a curved segment adapted to overlie the webbing on that side of the finger.

5. A finger ring comprising a single continuous band having an upper circular portion lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the finger, a lower circular portion lying in a plane that diverges from the plane of the upper portion on one side of the ring where the two portions, join, and a. curved offset portion joining the separated ends of the upper and lower portions and adapted to overlie the webbing on one side of the finger.

6. In an ornamental finger ring a shank having a lower circular portion adapted to lie in the crease formed at the base of the finger and diverging away from a plane normal to the axis of the ring at one end and abruptly restored thereto at the other end by a web engaging portion.

7. In an ornamental finger ring a shank comprising a curved portion in the form of a helix relative to the axis of the ring and a web engaging portion.

8. In an ornamental finger ring a shank comprising a curved portion in the form of a helix relative to the axis of the ring and a web engaging portion adapted to position the ornamentation symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis a distance of approximately onefourth of an inch closer to the knuckle than the position assumed by the ornamentation on a standard conventional ring shank.

9. A finger ring comprising a single continuous band having an upper circular portion lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of ring, a lower circular portion lying in a plane gradually offset from the upper plane at one end and abruptly ofiset by a curved web engaging portion at the other end.

10. A finger ring comprising a single continuous band having an upper circular portion lying in a plane substantially at right angles to the I axis of the ring, a lower circular portion lying in a plane gradually offset from the upper plane at one end and abruptly ofiset by a straight web overlying segment at the other end.

THOMAS P. SHIELDS. 

